CHAPTER 240:  EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEMS

§     240.010: Short Title

§     240.020: Definitions

§     240.030: Charges For False Alarms

§     240.040: Direct Signal Alarm System

§     240.050: Audible Alarms

§     240.060: Penalty

SECTION 240.010: SHORT TITLE

This Chapter may be designated and/or cited as the Alarm Systems Code of the City of Pasadena Hills.  (Ord. No. 493 §1, 10-8-96)

SECTION 240.020: DEFINITIONS

As used in this Chapter the following terms shall have the meanings and definitions hereinafter provided:

ALARM SYSTEM:  Any mechanical or electrical device which is designed to be actuated manually or automatically upon the detection of an unauthorized entry, intrusion, or other emergency in or on any building, structure, facility or premises through the emission of a sound or transmission of a signal or message.

ALARM USER:  A person who uses an alarm system to protect any building, structure, facility or premises.

AUDIBLE ALARM:  An alarm equipped with an exterior sound-producing device such as a gong, buzzer, siren, bell or horn.

AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE:  An alarm system which automatically dials a specific telephone number and transmits an emergency message by recording over regular telephone lines when actuated.

CHIEF OF POLICE:  The Chief of the Police agency providing law enforcement services in the City of Pasadena Hills under contract to the City, and includes such Chief's duly authorized agents.

DEPARTMENT:  The Police Department providing law enforcement services to the City of Pasadena Hills under a contract with the City.

DIRECT SIGNAL ALARM SYSTEM:  An alarm system which provides for a special telephone line that is directly connected to a Police Department and has an outlet at the Department which emits a sound or transmits a signal, or both, when actuated.

FALSE ALARM:  Any activation of an alarm system intentionally or by inadvertence, negligence or unintentional act to which Police Department personnel respond, including activation caused by the malfunction of the alarm system, except that the following circumstances shall not be considered false alarms, to wit:

1.     When the Chief of Police determines that an alarm has been caused by damage, testing or repair

§ 240.020 Pasadena Hills City Code       § 240.050

of telephone equipment or lines by a telephone company, provided that such incidents are promptly reported by the company which caused them;

2.     When an alarm is caused by an attempted and unauthorized or illegal entry of which there is visible evidence;

3.     When an alarm is intentionally caused by a person at the premises acting under a reasonable belief that a need for calling emergency or Police personnel;

4.     When an alarm is followed by notice to the Police Department canceling the alarm by giving proper information, prior to the arrival of Police or emergency personnel at the source of the alarm;

5.     When the alarm is caused by an act of God, such as earthquake, flood, windstorm, thunder or lightening.  (Ord. No. 493 §1, 10-8-96)

SECTION 240.030: CHARGES FOR FALSE ALARMS

A.    All false alarms to which the Police Department responds shall result in a charge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) to the alarm user.

B.    Upon determination by the Police Department that a false alarm has occurred, the Police Department shall send a notice to the alarm user notifying the alarm user of the determination and directing the payment within ten (10) days of any service charge that may be due.

C.    The Police Department shall cancel any notice or service charge upon satisfactory proof by the alarm user that a particular alarm falls within the exceptions enumerated in Section 240.020(1) through (5), above.

D.    Refusal to pay such a service charge within ten (10) days of such notice shall constitute a violation of this Section.  (Ord. No. 493 §1, 10-8-96)

SECTION 240.040: DIRECT SIGNAL ALARM SYSTEM

A.    All direct signal alarm systems which connect to the Police Department are prohibited, except for Federal institutions which are required to have such an alarm system under Federal law.

B.    Any Federal institution which is permitted to have a direct signal alarm system shall be required to pay for all costs for the installation, maintenance and repair of the alarm system.  

(Ord. No. 493 §1, 10-8-96)

SECTION 240.050: AUDIBLE ALARMS

A.    No person shall install or use an audible alarm without a thirty (30) minute timer.

B.    On or after January 1, 1997, any alarm user having an audible alarm shall be required to have and be responsible for equipping such an alarm with a thirty (30) minute timer.  

(Ord. No. 493 §1, 10-8-96)

§ 240.060       Emergency Alarm Systems          § 240.060

SECTION 240.060: PENALTY

    Any person violating any provision of the Chapter shall be guilty of an ordinance violation and punished as provided in Section 100.090 of this Municipal Code.  (Ord. No. 493 §1, 10-8-96)